There are major changes coming to HVAC equipment requirements and pricing starting on January 1, 2023, and we want to notify all our customers about these changes so they can plan accordingly for their future heating and cooling needs.
This change is called SEER2, Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating 2, which is part of a US Department of Energy (DOE) initiative to improve the energy efficiency performance of air conditioning and heating systems. Starting in 2023, all HVAC manufacturers must meet a new testing requirement for energy efficiency by redesigning their equipment. The testing requires improved efficiency and will change the way the SEER rating works. In the Southeast region of the US, which includes South Carolina, the new minimum SEER requirement will rise from 14.0 SEER to 15 SEER. Under the new testing, the older 15 SEER will be referred to as 14.3 SEER2. The requirements for heat pumps will rise to 15.0 SEER/8.8 HSPF (14.3 SEER2/7.5 HSPF).
After SEER2 goes into effect at the first of the year, we won’t be able to legally sell existing SEER equipment. We can also expect to see a 20%–30% increase in equipment costs rather than the 8%–10% increase that usually comes when the DOE raises minimum SEER requirements. If you have plans in the near future to purchase a new HVAC system, we recommend calling us as soon as possible to find out more about the impact of SEER2 and to arrange for new equipment installation before the price increases go into effect.
Rely on Carolina Climate Control and we’ll say “The Moose Is Loose in Your Neighborhood!”